Preview: Hokies Return Home to take on the Blue Hens

By: Chris Pierce

BLACKSBURG, Va – After spending time on the road last weekend, the Virginia Tech Hokies continue ACC divisional play at home in a two-game series against the University of Delaware Blue Hens.

Exit Light, Enter Kam Khazai

The rookie has been everything Coach Mullen and this team have asked for in the early stages of this season. Khazai leads the team with five goals scored, three of which came last Friday night against UNCW, establishing himself as a reliable option in this high-scoring offense.

Virginia Tech (3-2) split a two-game series against the Seahawks last weekend, which saw both the great and the ugly. On Friday, The Hokies defeated UNCW 5-4 which included Khazai’s historic game. Junior Dom Fantozzi added another goal to his junior campaign, tying his total already from last year, while senior Griffin Mudge managed to also put one in the back of the net for his first.  It would go downhill from there as the Hokies suffered a 7-1 loss to the Seahawks the next day.

This weekend, the team looks to rebound in another ACC divisional series matchup against a Delaware team whom they ought to seek revenge against.

Meet the Opponent: Delaware

The Blue Hens (2-3) season has not gone as planned through the first month. With wins over Georgetown and West Chester last weekend, the Blue Hens outside of that have not been able to generate consistent offense for their team to succeed. In the five games the team has played so far, they are averaging just over two and a half goals per game while allowing over four goals a game to opponents. Their only divisional matchup this season came against UNC where the Tar Heels cracked open a five-goal third period to defeat the Blue Hens 8-1.

Delaware looks ahead south towards Vinton, hoping to rebound and begin October off on the right foot against a tough, gritty Hokie squad that in the past has had trouble against them.

Previous History

The two teams squared off against each other last October which saw the Blue Hens come out on top 4-2. Thao Lanagan and Dom Fantozzi each picked up goals in the loss, whereas for the Blue Hens, returning senior Graham Kline scored two points on a goal and an assist.

The Blue Hens have had the Hokies number dating back to 2012 where they have won 12 out of the 16 matchups, including five out of the last six. Virginia Tech has not beaten Delaware at home since 2015 when they defeated the Blue Hens 5-2 inside the Roanoke Civic Center.

Game Information

Both games this weekend will be played at the Lancerlot Sports Complex in Vinton, Va. Puck drop on Friday is at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. You can watch the game live on the team's YouTube channel as well as stay updated live through social media accounts.